DISTINCT BREEDS; HABITS. 121 



first two qualities denote strength ; the last, i.e. the 

 upright humps, show that the animal is fat, and can 

 withstand a long journey in the desert. A very tall 

 beast is not necessarily a good one ; moderate size, 

 \vith all the above points well developed, is better 

 than great height. However, if it be well propor- 

 tioned, the larger it is the better. 



The largest and best camels, endowed with great 

 powers of endurance, are bred among the Khalkas. 

 Those of Ala-shan and Koko-nor are much smaller 

 and weaker ; the latter are also distinguished by their 

 shorter and thicker muzzles, and the former by the 

 darkness of their hair ; peculiarities so marked as 

 almost to form a distinct breed of the camels of 

 Southern Mongolia. 



The boundless steppe or desert is the home of 

 the camel ; here, like its master, the Mongol, it can be 

 perfectly happy. Both the man and the beast shun 

 fixed abodes. Confined in an enclosure, although 

 supplied with an abundance of the best food, the 

 camel will pine and die ; excepting, perhaps, a few 

 kept by the Chinese to transport coal, corn, or other 

 loads. But they are poor, miserable creatures, com- 

 pared with their fellows of the steppe ; and even 

 they will not bear confinement all the year round, 

 and must be let loose in summer to pasture on the 

 neighbouring plains and recruit their strength. 



The habits of the camel are very peculiar. It is 

 anything but dainty in its food, and may serve as a 

 model of moderation ; but this is only true on the 

 desert : take it to pasturage such as we have at 



